Head and Hindquarters of a Racing Horse n.d.

Théodore Géricault captured these studies of a horse's head and hindquarters in pencil, sometime in the early 19th century. The horse, a recurring symbol across cultures, embodies raw power and untamed energy, but it is also, here, a study of its musculature. We see this potent symbol echoing through antiquity, from the steeds of the Greek gods to the warhorses of ancient empires. Consider the horses of Saint Mark in Venice, their gilded forms a testament to triumph and imperial might. The image of a horse can trigger deep-seated memories, embodying ideas of freedom, vitality, and even aggression. Here, Géricault invites us to recognize how the horse’s image resonates, resurfaces, and evolves, continually influencing our cultural narrative.